Carli Davidson's 'Pets With Disabilities' Project (PHOTOS)

Carli Davidson is an animal person, to say the least. An experienced trainer and photographer, the 31 year old devotes her life to caring for furry friends and capturing their beauty on film.

Much of her time is spent “rolling on the ground with whatever animal I’m working with, getting in their skin as much as possible, and encouraging them to open up to the camera.”

Davidson began her “Pets with Disabilities” series two years ago, after witnessing a wheelchair-bound German Shephard playing catch with its owner. The project tells the story of blind and partially paralyzed pets with their owners, and proves that all animals can thrive in a loving environment.

Starting Friday, Davidson will be selling her work online, donating 10% of proceeds to a monthly rotation of animal rescue centers which focus on special needs pets. To learn more about Davidson and her work, visit her website www.carlidavidson.com, or subscribe to her on Facebook. Want more photos? Check out Davidson's images of dogs shaking off water by clicking here.

In celebration of National Specially-abled Pets Day on May 3rd, check out this selection of images from the “Pets with Disabilities” project.

All photos and captions courtesy of Carli Davidson.

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• French Bulldog

  Little man Rue is paralyzed from the waist down due to a spinal disorder. He is a very active and happy dog nonetheless. Little Man lives with his owner and another French bulldog, Sweet Pea.

• Poodle

  Ramen Noodle lost both of his arms in separate accidents before he was two years old. Only three weeks after losing the second arm he was up and running on his hind legs. He also has a front wheelchair to get around outdoors, but prefers to walk on his own.

• Pug And Chihuahua

  Diego, the blind Chihuahua and Buddy Nixon. Diego uses Buddy as a seeing eye dog by following the tapping of his nails as he walks around new environments.

• Corgi

  Duncan has a spinal disorder that many corgis are prone to. Even though he can't use his hind legs he is still extremely active. He throws toys across the room for himself to fetch, and his favorite treat is whipped cream.

• Black Chihuahua

  Inky is a Chihuahua that was rescued from a hoarder. Despite his early abuse he is incredibly good-natured and loving, and is even used as a therapy dog.

• Aussie

  Asha was lucky enough to be adopted as a puppy by a family who knew she was blind and deaf. She has an incredible personality, and responds to touch signals.

• Cat

  This is Muffin. Her owner didn't realize she was blind until one day when she had rearranged the furniture and Muffin started walking into things. She learns her surroundings very quickly and as longs as nothing major changes her blindness barely effects her routine.

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Comments

[nmbassetlover]

03:04 PM on 05/30/2012

Animals adapt to what we humans think of as disabilities so incredibly well. They lose one sense and the others take over. They do NOT think of themselves as disabled, nor do they want to be treated different. They still live life to the fullest and enjoy every day of it. People who adopt "special needs animals" are very lucky.

[Amy Rosen]

09:14 AM on 05/22/2012

Pardon while I pick a nit, these pictures are awesome and all of our domesticated animal friends deserve all of our love and respect and to be cared for well...

However, dogs do not have arms

[karen lyons kalmenson]

06:27 AM on 05/05/2012

this is not about being disabled...these sweet critters are differently abled☺♥☻

[jbryan4]

12:18 PM on 05/04/2012

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
--Ghandi

I admire & appreciate people who actively love & support animals, there is good out there!
Happy tears!

[undaunted8]

05:26 AM on 05/04/2012

I have 3 daughters and 3 Golden Retrievers.....these dogs are simply amazing...they know and understand so much about my girls.....beyond the love and comfort they give my kids, their loyalty is something I've rarely seen in HUMANS.....I've never heard of "pets with disabilities" but how cool is this?

[Dawngoaway26]

12:29 PM on 05/04/2012

I love this story. There is nothing more loving than a pet and a pet with a disability is a special gift. They seem to know how much you love them and are sweet beyond words. I recommend it highly.

[undaunted8]

01:25 PM on 05/04/2012

It's long overdue that we give something back to them considering all they give to us...put me in coach, where can I send the check...

[Hyenadog]

02:15 AM on 05/04/2012

While people who take in these disabled pets are amazing and give them the home they deserve. Many of these problems could be avoided...Its a known fact that breeding a merle aussie with another merle (coloring) results in many problems. From blindness and deafness to physical deformities...A good breeder knows this and wouldn't even consider it an option when picking out the dogs to breed.

many blind, deaf, and physically deformed pets are created when backyard breeders don't research and just breed with no regard to health or temperament. Breeding your pet isn't a right, not when so many die every single day because nobody wants them.

[Papergirls49]

03:15 PM on 05/04/2012

You are absolutely correct. Asha is our blind/deaf Aussie and she is a product of bad breeding. The person who bred her had an entire litter of deaf/blind puppies. When he realized it he drowned them - one by one. He got through 4 of the 7 before his wife stopped him and took the remaining three to the Humane Society, who only took one - that's our Asha. While we are not sorry she exists, we are furious that these things happen because most dogs like her never stand a chance. So many breeders are just out to make money, with no regard for the animals they are breeding or the sweet creatures they produce. Its criminal.

[Hyenadog]

03:39 AM on 05/05/2012

Its disgusting that people will do such things to avoid paying a few bucks. If a good breeder had a litter like that, they would either pay to have them humanely euthanized, or find a rescue to find them good homes...not drown them.

Breeding animals is not a way to make money. it is not an excuse to not have a real job. I saw a nice couple with a pair of 'pit bull' puppies today...they payed $1500 for the pair and said their color (which was a watered down tri-color) was 'rare'....Tell that to the hundreds of dogs in shelters with that EXACT coat color. Its not the dog's fault, its the greedy backyard breeder's fault.

[rennieskitkat]

01:47 AM on 05/04/2012

I have a cat, she was born with deformed front legs. She walks and hops like a rabbit. She is a bob tail and has 7 toes on her hind paws. So she also looks like a rabbit. I would not take anything for her, she is my buddy and where ever I am she is.I have had pets all my life and each have a special place in my heart. But she my baby and I love her.

[Dawngoaway26]

12:30 PM on 05/04/2012

So sweet! You are a special person

[bluegnu63]

01:06 AM on 05/04/2012

One of the main reasons we are here is to be Animal Guardians; never forget this.

[mirthfully]

01:05 AM on 05/04/2012

Milo's Sanctuary in North Hollywood, CA specializes in cats with "disabilities". Sometimes pets, like people, are not physically perfect; that doesn't mean they have no value or can't live productive lives.

[felide]

12:54 AM on 05/04/2012

AVERAGE ZOE if you are so anti breeders of puppies and kittens even healthy geneticly sound ones it is obvious to me that if you had your way anyone who so much as attempted to obtain a pet in a manner un approved by you personally would have their lives be made very diffacult. my cat has smarter things to say then you and she doesn't talk ..!

[dangerlady1650]

12:33 AM on 05/04/2012

GOD BLESS YOU..THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART...:)

[victorzeller]

12:28 AM on 05/04/2012

Almost three years ago one of my pups developed diabetes. She lost her sight due to cataracts. She goes out back, down the steps of the deck and around the whole yard like she can see. She is on insulin and gets her shots twice a day. She is now 11 years old and doing great. She has a brother that didn't get diabetes, they are actual brother and sister. She amazes me everyday.

[Dawngoaway26]

12:32 PM on 05/04/2012

Wonderful! They will bring you pure joy, I know

[twowhitedogs]

11:11 PM on 05/03/2012

Thank you Carli Davidson for showing people that even the "not so perfect" (although, I think they're all perfect) pups deserve a loving family and happy, spoiled life.

[hellyon3too]

10:34 PM on 05/03/2012

What's really sad is the fact that the problem with the Aussie could easily have been avoided. He's a double merle. If the breeder had just not bred merle to merle, the dog would have been normal.

[twowhitedogs]

11:08 PM on 05/03/2012

Perhaps it was an accident. Regardless, I'm glad to see that he is living a happy life.

[averagezoe]

11:29 PM on 05/03/2012

Better yet, if all breeders were exterminated, animals would all have a better life.

[hellyon3too]

12:18 AM on 05/04/2012

That's a myth. Totally wrong. But I know there's no sense in trying to explain why, and how you're wrong, so I won't bother.

[Hyenadog]

02:06 AM on 05/04/2012

If we didn't have breeders, we wouldn't have dogs or cats (or any domesticated animal, and I mean ANY).

If irresponsible breeders were stopped, then we wouldn't have problems. Responsible breeders don't do it for money, they do it to produce happy and healthy animals. Money is secondary to someone who really cares about their chosen animal and breed.

Its the ignorant and irresponsible ones who do the damage.

[Chris6774]

10:27 PM on 05/03/2012

Great article & beautiful photos! We have two adopted disabled cats, one who lost one of her back legs and her tail as a kitten as a result of being caught in an engine of a vehicle. The other cat was born with both rear legs so deformed that he "hops" like a bunny because he's unable to straighten his legs. We had a rescue dog for many years who was blind in one eye and missing a front leg, as a result of abuse, and another precious little guy who became blind and deaf in his old age. These animals have an amazing ability to adapt and I admire them so much. They don't feel sorry for themselves and don't know they "shouldn't" be able to do something, so they try and very often succeed. If it doesn't work, they don't feel bad about themselves...they just go on to the next thing. Please don't pass these wonderful animals by because they aren't "perfect"...because they are. Please also consider a handicapped animal for adoption. You will never regret it. Oh, and PLEASE look under the hood of your vehicle before starting the motor, especially in the winter, as cats will go there for warmth and shelter. Best of all, keep your kitties indoors!

[bluegnu63]

01:01 AM on 05/04/2012

God bless you and your felinebabies. 8-)

[whatsurbrain4]

11:31 AM on 05/04/2012

Or if you can't take the time to look under your hood in the winter ,some of us are in too much of a hurry, honk your horn BEFORE you start the car. It scares cats out if they happen to be in there. Beautiful pictures of the `specially-abled' fur babies!

[Chris6774]

04:38 PM on 05/04/2012

GREAT idea! Thank you!